Apparatus for making two-piece paper bag



1955 s. e. YOUNT APPARATUS FOR MAKING TWO-PIECE PAPER BAG 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 10, 1950 STA/V25) 650E615 You/v INVENTOR.

ATTO'QIVEY.

NOV. 1, 1955 s, YQUNT APPARATUS FOR MAKING TWO-PIECE PAPER BAG 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 10, 1950 A; W. T) I M i mm A Wm 4 N I I I QW WW I. n A a w ATTOQIVEY.

Nov. 1, 1955 s. e. YOUNT 2,722,165

APPARATUS FOR MAKING TWO-PIECE PAPER BAG Filed June 10, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 STANLEY GEORGE YO uA/r,

NVENTOR.

NOV. 1, 1955 5, YOUNT 2,722,165

APPARATUS FOR MAKING TWO-PIECE PAPER BAG Filed June 10, 1950 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 STA/v1.5) 650265 You/v7;

INVENTOR.

ATTOQNEY- paper bag.

United States Patent APPARATUS FOR MAKING TWO-PIECE PAPER BAG Stanley George Yount, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application June 10,1950, Serial No. 161,360

4 Claims. (Cl. 93-22) Thisinvention relates to an apparatus for and a method of making two-piece bags for industrial and agricultural use which require a strong, preferably self-supporting- In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus wherein a continuously advancing open ended tubular portion is arranged to receive and to have secured thereto a flat bottom wall for closing one end of the tubular portion, thereby converting such tubu-- lar portion into a folded bag, occupying a minimum amount of space, such bag being expandable into a fiat bottomed, strong container.

This application is a continuation-in-part of a copending application on a method and apparatus for to form a tube and then cutting the tube to proper length and closing one end by forming a transverse seam with sides of the tube drawn together. Such a paper bag was suitable for certain purposes but was not capable of being positioned in open, erect and stable relation so that it could be easily filled. When filled, lower" portion of the side walls of the tube formed the bottom wall of the bag. The bag of the present invention distinguishes from such prior bags in that it has a flat bottom, insuring stability, such bottom being preferably made from a different stock than the side walls of the bag.

Other prior small paper bags were formed by providing tucks in end walls of rectangularly shaped paper tubes and folding lower portions of the end walls and side walls of the tube to provide a bottom wall lying transversely in a plane perpendicular to the walls of the bag. Although this construction afforded a reinforced bottom wall which was usually of sufiicient strength for purposes for which the bag was made, such prior bags could not be successfully employed in large form for bulky or heavy materials.

In the shipping of various produce such as lettuce, cabbages, etc., and in shipping bulky materials such as empty cans, it is desirable to provide a relatively large strong paper bag of rectangular cross-section, capable of standing in open expanded position without auxiliary support for facilitating packing and loading of the produce or cans. Such use requires that the bag have a relatively rigid or stiff bottom wall capable of supporting the contents of the bag and strongly secured to the side and -maintains its erected form even though it is empty, and

has many other advantages.

It is therefore the primary object .of this invention to. disclose a novel method and apparatus for making a two-piece paper bag of relatively great strength 2,722,165 Patented Nov. 1, 1955 2 capable of standing in open expanded relation without auxiliary support. I

An object is to provide and disclose a simple, strong industrial bag, made of different stocks of paper or paper compositions, characterized by a flat, substantially smooth, unfolded bottom adapted to firmly support the side walls when the bag is expanded and to support and distribute the load when the bag is filled.

An objectof this invention is to disclose a novel improved method for making paper bags wherein a bag may be fabricated from different stocks by a continuous operation or process.

Another object of this invention is to disclose a novel improved method for preparing a continuously advancing open-ended tube portion of paper, in. collapsed relation, to receive a flat sheet bottom wall of dilferent material and to secure the bottom wall to the tubular portion in a novel manner.

Still another object of this invention is to design and provide a method of manufacturing a strong self-standing bag having a rectangular bottom wall of relatively stiff paper board, chip board, laminated fibrous material or the like.

Generally speaking this invention contemplates a method of making large, industrial type bags from different stocks of material, wherein open-ended tubular portions of one stock, out to selected length, are continu-' ously advanced through an apparatus and automatically fabricated into a complete bag having a bottom from a difierent stock. As the tubular portion advances, one

end thereof is expanded to fully open relation by causing opposed side walls'to proceed along diverging paths of travel; After the end has thus been opened one side wall portion is backfolded into flat relationship with the remainder of the tubular portion to expose normal expanded outlines'of the bottom opening of the bag. A pair of opposed panels formed on opposed end walls at the bottom of the bag by scoring are infolded so as to receive a precut bottom wall of different paper than the tubular portion. The bottom wall is deposited over the bottom opening and secured to said pair ofpanels by adhesive applied to the exposed top surface of the panels. A pair of panelsformed on opposed sidewalls are then folded inwardly and adhesively secured to adjacent outer edge marginal surfaces of the bottom wall. Thus a two-piece paper bag is formed from a tubular portion and. a flat, sheet bottom, asaid bag having a rectangular bottom wall secured to one pair of opposed walls of the bag by panels adhesively secured to inner; marginal surfaces of the bottom wall and adhesively secured by its outer marginal surfaces to panels formed on the other pair of side walls of the bag.

The invention also contemplates an improved and novel apparatus for opening one end of a collapsed tubular portion by moving opposed side Wall sections in diverging paths of travel.

A still further object of this invention is to design and provide, an apparatus for grasping and holding leading sections of the tubular portion to positively cause oppos'ed side walls to move in diverging paths of travel.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent from the following description of the drawings.

' metrical plane passing, through the, axis of the lowermost 3 enlarged cylinder shown in Fig. 3, the section being indicated by the line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the pair of cylinders shown in Fig. 3, the sectional view being taken substantially in the planes indicated by the line V-V of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view partly in section of the pair of diagonally arranged cylinders in Fig. 3, the.

section being taken in a transverse vertical plane bisecting a housing.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the right half of the pair of diagonally arranged cylinders illustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the leading section of a tubular paper portion illustrating opening of the leading end.

. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the rear portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken in a vertical transverse plane bisecting the rear portion of the apparatus.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the same plane as that of Fig. 10 illustrating deposit of a bottom wall upon a tubular portion of paper.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one end of a slat assembly taken in the same vertical plane as Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a rear portion of a slat assembly taken in the same plane as that of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a tubular portion of paper after scoring.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the tubular portion shown in Fig. 14 illustrating opening of the leading section of the tubular portion.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the tubular portion shown in Fig. 14, the leading portion of one side wall being back folded to show the bottom of the bag expanded to normal size and with panels on end walls infolded and with adhesive applied to all the panels on the tubular portion. A bottom wall is illustrated in phantom lines superimposed over the bottom opening.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the bag shown in Fig. 14 after the bottom wall has been deposited upon infolded end wall panels and side wall end panels folded over outer bottom margins of the bottom wall.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a paper bag in open position fabricated by the apparatus and method of this invention.

The bag of the present invention is made from a tube of paper, etc., having two superimposed side walls and two inwardly pleated end walls, such tube being illustrated in my copending application filed August 9, 1946, Serial No. 689,565, which discloses a method and an apparatus for making such tubes. The apparatus of such prior application is preferably used with the apparatus of the present invention, although it is to be understood that any preformed continuous tube of paper or openended tubular lengths of paper may be employed in the apparatus and method of this invention.

Preferably, apparatus of this invention is associated with the apparatus of my copending application to receive the formed collapsed continuous paper tube and to fabricate therefrom in a continuous process two-piece paper bags, each including a tubular portion, generally indicated at 20, Fig. 14, having opposed side walls 21 and pleated end walls 22 lying collapsed therebetween. The tubular body portion of the bag may be made of two strips of paper (as described in my application Serial No. 689,565) or from a single strip. of paper, with a longitudinally extending, adhesively closed seams. It should be noted that in the formation of the continuous paper tube a strip of paper forming one side wall 21 is preferably perforated with circular ports at selected spaced intervals along its longitudinal axis in order to provide semicircular openings 23 when the continuous tube is Q 1? to preselected lengths of tubular portions 20. Each strip of paper forming side walls of tubular portion 20, before: being joined together in a continuous tube, is preferably provided with a pair of transversely aligned slits 24, each in proximity to a side edge of portion 20 and lying gener-- ally along the same transverse line as semicircular portions 23 to facilitate folding of end panels as hereinafter described.

A continuously advancing collapsed paper tube 25, Fig. 1, thus provided with ports to form semicircular openings 23 and slits 24, as above described or in any other suitable manner, may be advanced between a plurality of vertically arranged pairs of draw rolls 26 to a vertically arranged pair of cutting rolls 27 and 28 to sever the continuous tube of paper into tube portions 20 of selected length. Cutting roll 27 is provided with a transversely extending knife 29 having a cutting edge 30 adapted to cooperate with a transversely extending groove 31 formed in roll 28. The cutting rolls 27 and 28 are driven in timed relation with the advancing continuous tube so that the continuous tube is successively cut across leading ends of slits 24 and approximately along the transverse diameter of the ports formed in the one paper strip of the tube providing semicircular openings 23. For clarity, the driving means for the apparatus is described separately and later.

Means for accelerating a cut tube portion 2i may comprise a pair of spaced relatively thick section plate-like drive members 32 having diametrically opposed arcuate edges 33 adapted to engage the upper surface of a tubular portion 20 as the tubular portion passes over a drive roll 34. The drive members 32 and drive roll 34 are vertically arranged anclare intermittently driven at a slightly greater rotative speed in timed relation with the cutting rolls 27 and 28 so as to accelerate advancement of a tubular portion 20 to space it forwardly from the following tubular portion 20 being cut.

A spaced tubular portion 20 is then conveyed by rollers 35 to a tangential horizontal position beneath a pair of oppositely rotating contiguous hollow cylinders 36 and 37. Cylinders 36 and 37 are of relatively large diameter and have parallel axes arranged in a diagonal plane. A tubular portion 20 is advanced between cylinder 36 and a drive roll 38 of substantially the same diameter as conveyor rollers 35. The drive roll 38 advances tubular portion 20 forwardly against a plurality of transversely spaced guide fingers 39 which direct the leading section of the tube portion 20 against the cylindrical surface of cylinder 36. The surface of cylinder 36 is preferably provided with pairs of transversely and circumferentially spaced outwardly directed paper engaging pins 40 which are temporarily pressed into leading margins of the tube portion 20 as it passes over drive roll 38 to aid in holding the tube portion against the cylinder surface for movement with the cylinder.

In addition, suction means including a pair of transversely spaced suction cups 41, Fig. 5, on cylinder 36 contact and hold leading side margins of the tubular portion against the surface of cylinder 36. Each suction cup 41 may be supported by a bracket 42 carried within cylinder 36. Each cup is connected to a flexible tube 43 which is connected to an axial duct (not shown) formed in shaft 56 carrying cylinder 36. The duct is connected to a suitable vacuum source.

As the tubular portion passes between cylinders 36 and 37, a transverse score line may be formed in the tubular portion spaced a short distance from the leading edge thereof by a scoring knife 71 carried on cylinder 36 cooperable with a transverse groove 72 formed in cylindrical surface of cylinder 37. Score line 70 defines end panels 73 in side walls 21 and also end panels 74 in the pleated end walls 22. Score line 70 also delineates the bottom edge or bottom opening of the bag to be formed.

The surface of each cylinder 36 and 37 is provided with a pair of transversely aligned rectangular openings 44 Spaced approximately, the. width. of the 1 tubular. portion 20.

.Inboard'ly of openings 44;; recessed portions 45' in the cylindrical surfaces are adapted, to accommodate side edge margins of the. tubular portion 20. Each recessed portion 45 onv cylinder 36 only is provided with a port 46 cooperable with a respective suction cup 41'.

As. tube portion passes between the cylinders; 36 and 37 a central claw or gripper 47, mounted in cylinder 37 and disposed in a transverse plane bisecting cylinder 37, is, operable through a centrally disposed port 48 in cylin-. der- 37 to move circumferentially and radially inwardlyto seize a central margin of the side wallv 2?. which is exposed through the semi-circular opening 2.3.onthe other side wall. Means for actuating claw 47-will be described later in connection with the actuation of pairs of fingers 52.carried on each of the cylinders 36 and 37.

It will thus be noted that further continued rotation of cylinders 36 and 37 will begin to spread apart the leading end of tubular portion 20 because of the holding engagement of claw 47 on one side wall and that of the suc-. tion cupson the other side wall. The opposed side walls 21 thus begin to travel in diverging paths by movement with respective surfaces on cylinders 36 and 37.

Immediately after the. spreading apart action begins the pairs of transversely spaced inwardly directed fingers,

52carried on each cylinders'36 and 37 move axially inwardly to grasp or hold, in pressure contact against, respective cylinders, side margins of side walls 21 and contiguous sections of pleated end walls 22 adjacent and behind score line 70. Insertionof the pairs of fingers52; between the collapsed pleated end walls is facilitated by the separating action begun as above described and by the recessed portions which afford additional clearance for movement of the fingers.

The pairs of fingers 52 on each cylinder 36 and 37 operate in substantially the same manner and for purposes of explanation only operation of fingersSZon cylinder 36 is illustrated in Fig. 4. Each finger 52 is carried upon a radially inwardly extending spring-biased arm- 53 provided with an enlarged circular bearing 54 slidably carried UPOIM.

the cylinder shaft 56 supporting'cylinder 36. Adjacent each arm 53 shaft 56 is provided witha transversely disposed arcuate slot 57. Slot 57 carries a transverse pin 58 extending through bearing. 54 on arm 53 and permits movement of arm 53 axially along shaft 56. At the same.

time slot 57 defines a limited radial outward and axial reciprocal path of travel for the arm.

Eacharm 53 is provided with an outboardly extending block or. member 59 carrying at its extremity a camengaging element 60; Element 60 slidably contacts gen;

erally elliptical cam plate 61 having a curved cam surface 62 against which element 60.is urged by spring63. Spring 63 is secured at one end to the adjacent and Wall of the cylinder and at its other end to block 59;. Each cam plate 61 is adjustably fixed to a transversely extending cam shaft 64 lyingparallel to cylinder shaft 56. Cam shaft. 64 is journaled in theend walls of'the cylinder and projects outwardly from one end wall for connection to a crank 65. Crank 65 carries at its opposite end a roller or wheel 66 adapted to ride upon a circumferential cam edge of a stationary cam disc 67 journaled on. shaft 56 and supported in any convenient manner from the frame of the apparatus. The circumferential cam edge of disc 67 is provided with a radiallyinwardly recessed edge portion 68 for rotating cam shaft 64 through rotative move ment of crank v65 so that the cam surface 62 will move in relation to cam element 60 to urge the arm 53 inboardly and outboardly in anarcuate path at selected spaced time intervals.

The claw 47 carried in cylinder 37 is likewise carried onthe cam shaft 64 of cylinder 37 and, is fixed thereto. Upon rotation of cam shaft 64 in accordance with the contour ofstationary disc 67, just; prior to -actuationpof a r sz on,- cylinder 37, the claw {Kl-will berotated-so;-v

1 ing, paths of travelsof the side walls.

asrto either gras'por release the. central margin-of an. exposed side wall 21 of tubular portion 20.

Theholding engagement of pairsof fingers.52s-of:cylinders 36 and. 3 7 and claw 47 with leading side wall margins and. a central margin of one side wall respectively of the tubular portion20 affords positive means for openingor spreadingapart the. leading section of tubular portion. 20.

A scoring bar provided with a. knifeedge. 76 along one edge of the bar forms atransverse scoreline77 spaced from and-parallel to.score.line..70 bycooperation .witha groove 78 formed in the cylindrical surfacev ofcylinder '36. This second score. line is made as. the tubular portion 20advances between ends of guide fingers 3.9; and the contiguity of cylinders 36'- and 37 to aid indefining tucks 82 to bev forrnedin the pleated endwalls 22. Scoring bar 75 is carried onaitransverseshaft 79'which is intermittently operable in timed relation to theadvancement of the tubular portion.

When the second scoreline 77 is positioned between cylinders 36 andv 37, the leading section of the tubular portion is opened toits fullest extent to delineate. the bottom opening of thebag as defined by score line 70. At this instant and panels 74 on the pleated end walls 22 have been pulled to fully extended position by the. diverg- Since pairs of fingers 52' grasp side leading margins of the panelsand just behind score. line 70, and slits 24, panels 74 tend to be slightlyinclined inwardly. Fingers 52 on cylinder 36- then releasethe side margins of walls 21 and 22: and retract out of engagement therewith by cooperation of their re: spective cam plates 61 and cam elements 60. Suction holding of wall 21 by cups 41 oncylinder 36 wasteleased prior and shortly after fingers 52 on cylinder 36 grasped side margins of wall 21 so that the wall 21 following the path of travel of cylinder '36-is completely-released. This leading wall section following cylinder 36 then reverses its direction of travel for backfolding along scoreline 77 while following the opposed side wall 21 which is still grasped by claw 47 and pairs of fingers52 oncylinder 37.

Means for pressing or creasing the backfolded portion of side wall 21 initially moving with cylinder36 to form the inwardlydirected tucks 82 in end walls 22 includes a centrally disposed horizontally arranged tuck presser supported above cylinder36 and forwardly of cylinder 37. Tuck presser 80 is provided with an. arcuate transverse marginal portionSl the edge of which is adapted to yieldably bear against the backfold portion of side wall 21 and the tubular portion 20 as it advances in the direction of travel. of the surface of cylinder 37.

Tuck presser 80 may be supported within a housing generallyindicated at 83aprovided' with a top horizontal wall 84 and side walls 85 disposed vertically in spaced planes substantially coincident with the side edges of the collapsed tubular portion. Each side wall 85 isprovided with a curved bottom edge-86 corresponding to the curvatureof cylinder 37 and spaced slightly therefrom. Edge 86 may merge with edge 87 at wall 84 in a curved-sportion to guide in folding of panels 74 as the panels pass between edge 87 and cylinder 37.

As tubular portion 20 begins to pass approximately the top center of cylinder 37, claw 47 and pairs of fingers 52 on cylinder 37' are. released and retracted by movement of roller. 66 associated with cylinder 37 onto araised circumferential edge of associated cam disc 67.

Means for transferring tubular portion 20 to a pair'of elongated longitudinally disposed horizontal endlesschain assemblies generally indicated at 91 is provided by a draw roll 94 vertically arranged with respect to the axis of cylinder 37. Since the paper material oftubular portion 20 is relatively heavy (generally'high strength sulfite paper such as kraft), the pressing action of draw roll'94 tends to free the leading section of the tubular portion from. cylinder 37. formovement in ahorizontal plane to span the gap between the adjacent end of chain assemblies 91 and cylinder 37.

Draw roll 94 is operable against the lower lay of a plurality of spaced parallel longitudinally disposed flexible belts 90. The belts 90 are supported on an enlarged end roller 92 positioned above housing 83 and a reduced end roller 93 positioned above chain assemblies 91. Spaced inwardly from roller 93 and in engagement with the lower lay of endless belts 90 is another draw roll 95 positioned above end sprocket 96 of chain assemblies 91. Draw roll 95 is preferably provided with spaced circumferential grooves vertically aligned with the spaced chains of chain assemblies 91, said grooves being filled with a felt strip or other suitable yieldable material in order to press leading margins of the tubular portion against spaced transport pins 97 carried on the chain assemblies 91. The

- spaced pins 97 serve to positively position and move the tubular portion along top lays of the chain assemblies.

Means for applying adhesive to upper exposed surfaces of infolded panels 74 and the non-folded end panels 73 of side walls 21 is provided by a pair of vertically disposed cylinders 98 and 99 between which the tubular portion is transported by chain assemblies 91. Cylinder 98 carries on its cylindrical surface a rectangular die 100 arranged to wipe against an adhesive carrying roll 101. Roll 101 tangentially contacts a dip roller 102 arranged to immerse its surface into a supply of adhesive carried in a rectangular transversely disposedhorizontal pan 103. Cylinder 98 is driven in timed relation with the advancing tubular portion 20 so that as portion 20 passes between rolls 98 and 99 the adhesive carrying die contacts exposed top surfaces of panels 74 and 73 to deposit a thin film of adhesive thereon.

Means for placing a rectangular bottom wall upon adhesive covered surfaces of panels 74 in alignment with the bottom opening of the tubular portion as delineated by score line 70 includes a supply roll 104 carrying a strip of material 105 preferably of stiffer characteristics than the paper of the tubular portion, as, for example, chip board, laminated board, etc. Paper strip 105 may be threaded between a pair of draw rolls 106 disposed above the apparatus previously described and is carried in generally parallel horizontal overhead relation thereto to another pair of draw rolls 107 disposed generally above cylinders 98 and 99.

Means for cutting the paper strip 105 to proper length is provided by a cutter roll 108 having a cutting knife 109 cooperable with a stationary bar 110. The strip of paper 105 is advanced downwardly between adjacent lays of a plurality of pairs of downwardly inclined transversely spaced idle endless belt assemblies 111. Belt assemblies 111 are supported at opposite ends by end pairs of pulleys 112. The leading portion of paper strip 105 1 is positioned between the adjacent lays of belt assemblies A 111 when cut to proper length by knife 109 and the bottom wall 113 thus formed is supported thereby. The leading lower transverse edge of wall 113 falls into contact with a shoulder 114 formed on an intermittently cam-operated gate 115. Gate 115 may be provided with a surface following the path of a helix to form shoulder 114. A top guide plate 116 may be provided to positively position the leading edge of bottom wall 113 against 113 in inclined position until a tubular portion 20 carried by chain assemblies 91 passes therebeneath and then is actuated in timed relation with the movement of the tubular portion to deposit the wall 113 in alignment with the bottom opening of the tubular portion and upon the adhesive covered surfaces of end panels 74. To facilitate positive movement of wall 113 from between belt assemblies 111, a cylinder 117 is provided with pins 119 spaced on its cylinder surface to positively engage wall 113 as gate opens. A cylinder 118 disposed vertically be neath cylinder 117 serves to support the tubular portion and wall 113 as they pass between cylinders 117 and 118 so that end margins of walls 113 are in pressure contact with the adhesive covered surfaces of panel 74.

Means for forwardly folding the trailing end panel 73 of the back folded portion of a side wall 21 includes a plurality of transversely disposed generally horizontally arranged fingers or elements 120 carried on a shaft 121. Shaft 121 is reciprocally movable longitudinally of the apparatus in timed relation to passage of portion 29. As the back folded portion passes beyond fingers 120, fingers 120 are actuated to overtake and slip beneath trailing panel 73 for lifting and folding said panel forwardly over the transverse adjacent margins of the bottom wall 113. Downwardly curved holding elements 120a carried at proper spaced intervals on a slat assembly 122 serve to hold adjacent sections of the tubular portion so that the overtaking fingers 120 do not cause the tubular portion to slide forwardly.

The trailing panel 73 may be held in pressure contact against the bottom wall by a slat 123 seated thereupon and carried by slat assembly 122. The slat assembly 122 includes a pair of transversely spaced endless chains 124 arranged for movement in a triangular pattern about pairs of transversely disposed sprockets 125, 126, and 127. Each slat 123 is of U section with legs of the U directed downwardly when the slats move along the lower lay of chains 124. Spaced groups of slats 123 are arranged to contact a tubular portion 20 in timed relation with its advancement so that not only does the trailing slat of a group have seated contact with trailing panel 73 but the other slats of the group seat and bear against the bottom wall for pressure contact of edge margins of wall 113 against end panels 74 for positively setting the adhesive.

Upon leaving chain assemblies 91 and when positioned beneath slat assemblies 122 tubular portion 20 is supported upon a plurality of transversely spaced endless belts 128, 129, and 130. The belts may be supported by an end roller 131 carrying at opposite ends sprockets 132 of the chain assemblies 91 and by rearwardly disposed end roller 133.

The leading panel 73 may be rearwardly folded against leading marginal portions of wall 113 by means of a pair of transversely spaced trip elements 134 carried on a transverse shaft 135 disposed between the top and bottom lays of belts 128, 129, and and operable in the spaces afforded between belts 128 and 129 and belts 130 and 129. As best seen in Fig. 13 the trip elements 134 are intermittently actuated from a normal horizontal position to substantially vertical position to lift the leading panel 73 into an upwardly inclined position. A plurality of horizontally arranged transversely spaced stationary ploughs 138 having upwardly curved ends 138a contact the raised leading panel 73 so as to fold panel 73 backwardly and downwardly into contact with adjacent margins of the bottom wall 113.

Since the back folding of the leading panel 73 occurs near the end of the apparatus complete adhesive contact of said panel with the adjacent margins of the bottom wall may be insured by an operator making a sliding pass with his hand over leading panel 73 as the tubular portion 20 is deposited upon a table located adjacent the end of belts 128, 129 and 130 for receiving the completed paper bags.

It should be noted that the completed bags emerge from the apparatus with the bottom wall 113 lying in fiat relationship to the tubular body portion 20 and the bags thus formed and received may be readily stacked in compact bundles for transportation to storage. The relatively stiff bottom 113 is smooth, unfolded and ready to support the body portion when expanded. Filled bags \A um a-taanes of this type can be stacked readily and can be easily handled.

In Fig. 2 is diagrammatically illustrated an exemplary drive means for the apparatus and method for forming a two-piece paper bag as above described. For purposes of explanation, gears associated with the various drawrolls and cylinders will be identified by the same reference numeral as assigned to the draw roll or cylinder, but carrying a prime sign.

The drive means, generally indicated at 140, may be driven by any suitable power means, such as an electric motor (not shown). The motor may drive a chain 141 which is arranged to drive a shaft 142 carrying a driving gear 26' associated with the lower and forward draw roll 26. Drive gear 26 engages a gear 26" driving the associated pair of draw rolls 26" through an idle gear 143.

Cutting rolls 27 and 28 are driven through means including an idle gear 144 meshed with the rearwardmost gate 26", said idle gear 144 engaging a. driving gear 27 which is brought into intermittent driving relationship with the cutting roll 27 by means of a solenoid operated rotary clutch (not shown).

Chain 141 drives a gear 34' associated with draw roll 34. Gear 34' meshes with a gear 32 carried on a shaft supporting accelerating and advancing member 32. A solenoid operated rotary clutch is associated with gear 32 for driving the advancing member in intermittently timed relation with the main drive and at a slightly greater speed of rotation so that the tubular portion may be positively forwardly spaced from the following portion of the continuous tube.

Cylinders 36 and 37 are driven from a gear 38 carried by the shaft supporting draw roll 38, said gear 38' being operable at the rear end of chain 141. Gear 38 meshes with an enlarged gear 36' which is provided engagement with a similarly enlarged spur gear 37 for driving cylinder 37.

Scoring bar 75 is intermittently driven through a suitably operated rotary clutch (not shown) by a gear 75' carried on shaft 79. The rotary clutch arrangement per mits the scoring knife 76 to cooperate with the groove 78 formed in cylinders 36 to provide the second score line 77 on a tubular portion 20.

Enlarged gear 37 meshes with a reduced gear 94' carried by the shaft-supporting draw roll 94 for driving endless belts 90 supported by end rollers 92 and 93.

The adhesive-applying rollers 98 and 99 are driven from an idle gear 145 meshing with enlarged gear 37' and with enlarged gear 99. Gear 99 meshes with an enlarged gear 98' which is supported on the shaft carrying the adhesive-applying cylinder 98. The adhesive-carrying roll 101 and the dip roll 102 may be suitably driven from enlarged gear 98' by means of a reduced gear 101' meshing with gear 98' and also meshing with a gear 102'.

The driving means for moving strip of paper 105- from the enlarged gear 98' through a gear 147 meshedtherewith. The gear train 146 includes a gear 148 carried on the shaft supporting gear 147, said gear 148 being meshed with a gear 149 supported on a shaft 151 carrying a gear 150. The shaft 151 carrying said gears 149 and 150 is arranged to support a clutch mechanism for operating the knife roll 108 and the pairs of draw rolls 107 and 106 in intermittent timed relationship with the passage of a tubular portion along chain assemblies 91. The gear train 146 includes a pair of gears 107', the lowermost gear 107' being meshed with the gear 150. Draw rolls 106 are driven from the gear train 146 by means of a suitable driving chain assembly.

The endless belts 111 and the gate 115 are driven from gear 99' through an idle gear 152 meshing with gear 99 and with an intermediate gear 153. Gear 153 is supported on a shaft 154 carrying belt drivei means-155. Belt means 155'drives a. shaft 156 carrying. a drive gear 157' meshing with a gear 158. Gear 158 is suitably connected by intermittently actuated clutch means to gate 115 for actuation thereof in. timed relation to movement of a tubular portion 20 so as to release a bottom wall;113 waiting in position between endless belts 111. The endless belts 111 are also suitably intermittently driven from gear 158 so as to operate in timed relation with. the gate 115.

Cylinders 117 and 118 may be suitably driven from a gear 159 meshed with gear 153 and with an enlarged gear 118. Gear 118' engages gear 117' for drivingcylinder 117.

The slat assembly 122 and the endless belt assemblies 128, 129 and 130 may be driven from a gear 160 having meshed engagement with gear 118 and with a gear 131' carried on a shaft 161 which. supports. the end roll for the pulleys 128, 129 and 130 and the sprockets 132 of the endless chain assemblies 91 and :thus provides means for driving both chain assemblies 91 and endless belt assemblies 128, 129 and 130. 9

Gear 131 meshes with a gear 125 carried ona shaft which supports sprockets 125 of the slat assembly 122, thus providing means for driving the slat assembly.

The longitudinally reciprocating fingers 120 carried on shaft 121 are intermittently moved forwardly and then retracted in timed relationship with a portion 20 by suitable clutching means (not shown) associated with a shaft 161 carrying the gear 131' so that fingers 120 may overtake and forwardly fold the trailing panel 73 over the bottom wall 113.

The shaft 135 carrying trip fingers 134 is also suitably driven from drive means (not shown) associated with shaft 161 for causing the leading end panel 73 to be-lifted for folding rearwardly over adjacent marginal surfaces of a bottom wall 113.

It is understood that the drive means described above is exemplary and diagrammatic only to illustrate a driving mechanism for the apparatus and method of this invention. It is understood, of course, that any'suitable driving mechanism may be employed to operate the apparatus described above.

The above method and apparatus thus form a two-piece paper bag, comprising a tubular portion. having pleated end walls and a bottom wall of relatively stiff. material so that the bag when expanded as illustrated in Fig. 18 support itself in open erect. position. It should be noted that as the completed bag is taken from the machine it lies in. collapsed position with the bottom wall in nonfolded relation and lying in a planeparallel to that of'the side walls so that a number of bags may be conveniently stacked and tied into. bundles. The total length of the folded bagdoes not exceed'the height of the empty, erect bag; its width does not exceed the width of the expanded bag. The empty bags, in folded form, occupy less space than prior bags. It should be noted that, the bottom wall issecured by end panels on the pleated end walls which are adhesively bonded to inner marginal surfaces thereof and also by end panels on the side walls which are bonded to outer marginal surfaces thereof, thereby affording a strong bagstructure. When the bag is open, the fiat, relatively stiff bottom; wall of rectangular plan. serves to hold; the side and end walls of the tubular portion invertical relationship and prevents deformation of the walls, thus greatly facilitating the packing and shipping of various produce and articles. A minimum of stock is used to obtain a bag of maximum strength and capacity.

The method and apparatus of this invention as described and illustrated above provides means for fabricating an exceptionally strong, self-standing, two-piece paper bag from either a continuous collapsed paper tube, as shown in my copending application, or from a plurality of open-ended collapsed tubular portions. It is important to note that in the manufacture of a two-piece paper bag by the above method the tubular portion is continuously advancing and the bottom wall for the paper bag is cut to size and disposed upon the tubular portion while advancing. Thus the apparatus and method of this invention fabricates a two-piece paper bag by a continuous process from continuously advancing tubular portions and a separate advancing strip of paper from which is formed a bottom wall for the bag.

It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the apparatus described above may be modified and changed without departing from the spirit of this invention. Likewise, the method illustrated above may in a number of instances be modified or changed. All such changes and modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims are embraced thereby.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for making paper bags comprising: a pair of oppositely rotatable contiguous cylinders having parallel axes; conveyor rolls arranged to advance a tubular portion of paper to one of said cylinders; guide members for directing the path of travel of a tubular portion upon the surface of the said one cylinder; means onthe cylinders cooperable to score the tubular portion adjacent its leading edge, and other means cooperable to score the tubular portion below the first score line; gripping elements on each cylinder axially movable to seize adjacent leading marginal portions of side walls as the tubular portion passes between the cylinders for opening the leading end of the tubular portion by causing opposed side walls each to move with respective cylinders along diverging paths of travel; means retracting the grasping elements on the said one cylinder to release the side wall moving with the said one cylinder; means cooperable with the other cylinder to backfold the side wall released from the said one cylinder into overlying relationship and to expose the leading open end of the tubular portion, wherein panels on one set of opposed walls lie within the opening; applicator rolls for applying adhesive to exposed surfaces of the panels; means positioning a pre-cut bottom wall above the path of travel of the tubular portion; gate means operable in timed relation with the travel of the tubular portion to deposit the wall over the opening and upon the infolded panels; means for folding the panels on the other set of walls over marginal outer surface portions of the bottom wall; and endless means including spaced transverse elements for transversely engaging intermediate portions of the bottom wall for pressing and holding said bottom wall in position on the infolded panels while folding the panels of the other set of walls over outer surface portions of the bottom wall while said tubular portion and said bottom wall are advanced.

2. In an apparatus for making two-piece paper bags, one piece being substantially stiffer than the other piece, the combination of: a pair of oppositely rotatable cylinders having parallel axes; means for advancing a tubular portion of paper to and between said cylinders; means for scoring the tubular portion while advancing between the cylinders, said scoring including the defining of sets of opposed end panels; means carried by each cylinder for gripping leading sections of the tubular portion lying against a respective cylinder, said gripping means including suction means acting upon a leading section of the portion; means for releasing a leading section held by one cylinder for backfolding; means for infolding one set ofopposed end panels; means for advancing and depositing a pre-cut bottom wall of stiffer material than the tubular portion on said infolded set of end panels; means for infolding the other set of opposed end panels over the bottom Wall; and means operable in timed relation with the advancement of said tubular portion and said bottom wall positioned thereon for holding the stiff bottom wall in registration with said panels while infolding said other set of opposed end panels over adjacent margins of the bottom wall during said advancement.

3. In an apparatus for making two-piece paper bags, one piece being of stiffer stock than the other piece, the combination of: a pair of oppositely rotatable cylinders having parallel axes; means for advancing a tubular portion of paper to and between said cylinders; means for scoring the tubular portion while advancing between the cylinders, said scoring including the defining of side and end wall panels; means cooperable with said cylinders for moving leading sections of the tubular portion along diverging paths of travel and backfolding one leading section to extend end wall panels contiguous to said section; means infolding the last mentioned end wall panels; means separately advancing and positioning in timed relation a bottom wall of stiffer stock on said last mentioned end wall panels, means infolding the side wall panels over the bottom wall; and transverse means operable in timed relation with the advancement of said tubular portion and bottom wall for pressing said bottom wall against the end wall panels for limiting relative movement therebetween while said side wall panels are infolded over adjacent margins of said bottom wall.

4. In combination with an apparatus for making a twopiece paper bag including a continuously advancing open ended tubuiar portion having one end folded open with side and end panels to receive and secure a relatively stiff bottom wall: means for positioning and registering a bottom wall over the folded open end against end panels to prevent relative displacement therebetween comprising a plurality of transversely arranged members movable along and above the path of advancement of said tubular portion and said bottom wall in timed relation therewith, said transverse members having pressure contact with said bottom wall upon areas intermediate leading and trailing margins of said bottom wall; and means for securing side panels to outer surfaces of leading and trailing margins of said bottom wall while said pressure means are operative.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 175,576 Ostrander Apr. 4, 1876 333,523 Honiss Jan. 5, 1886 578,550 Dnlin Mar. 9, 1897 904,169 Widmer Nov. 17, 1908 1,176,163 Potdevin Mar. 21, 1916 1,916,293 Andreas July 4, 1933 2,125,308 Novick Aug. 2, 1938 2,250,699 Bischoif July 29, 1941 2,275,485 Ames Mar. 10, 1942 2,325,042 Crawford July 27, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 306,133 Great Britain of 1929 

